If you look at its history, you will doubtless agree that Florida is a fascinating and complex state. Several regions have an interesting history, and Deland is certainly high on that list. Many people don’t necessarily know all that much about it, though.
There are new homes in Deland, FL, that are now available, and maybe once you hear a little more about the region, you will be interested in moving there. Let us take a few moments to talk about this part of the Sunshine State.
The City’s Founding and Early History
The city of Deland was founded in 1876. It is named after its founder, Henry Addison Deland. It is located in Volusia County. It is in the East-Central part of Florida, and it is right on the shore of the Saint Johns River.
Deland is a sort of high pine meadow that is surrounded by rolling hills. That is what Henry Deland found it to be well over 100 years ago. Even before that, though, the region had many visitors. These included Native Americans, English settlers, Spanish explorers, and French colonists.
Ruben Marsh
Even before Henry Deland arrived in this part of Florida and officially christened it Deland, the settler Rubin Marsh left his mark on this part of the state. Marsh arrived in this part of Florida during the infamous Seminole-Indian War.
It is said that Marsh liked this part of the state and remarked that if he was to come out of the war alive, he planned to return and raise cattle there. This was in 1841. Marsh thought the land was rich and fertile. He reported seeing many animals there, including wild turkeys, deer, and other game. It led him to believe this was a place of plenty.
Marsh did survive the war and returned to Deland in 1846. He bought a settler’s claim and started raising cattle, just as he had predicted.
At that point, he called the land Persimmon Hollow. That was because of the many wild persimmons that grew all about the region. It was only when Deland arrived not long after that the place got the name it still uses today.
The Current State of the City
Deland is probably best known these days for its Historic Downtown district. It features 68 buildings of historical significance. It is also the home of Stetson University, which is the state’s oldest private college.
The Museum of Art in Deland is also well known and attracts many visitors each year. There is a lot of tourism.
Many individuals and families love living there and raising their families. It’s charming and features several quaint restaurants, public parks, shopping complexes, and more.
Those interested in living there should note that there’s a stable job market at the moment. The weather is usually pleasant, and the Florida coast, with its white sand beaches, is less than an hour away by car. The stunning natural beauty so prevalent in the state is much in evidence in Deland.
